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HB17-1326 Justice Reinvestment Crime Prevention Initiative

Bill Number: HB17-1326

Year: 2017

ACLU Position: Support

Sponsors: P. Lee (D)/ R. Gardner (R)/ D. Kagan (D)

Description:

The bill changes the length of time that a parolee may serve for a
technical parole violation. If the parolee is on parole for a class 2 felony;
level 1 drug felony; a crime of violence, stalking, menacing, or unlawful
sexual behavior; or a crime against an at-risk adult or is a sexually violent
predator, the length of revocation is up to the remainder of the parolee’s
parole period. If the parolee is on parole for a level 2 drug felony or a
class 3 nonviolent felony, the length of revocation is up to 90 days. If the
parolee is on parole for a level 3 or level 4 drug felony or a class 4, class
5, or class 6 nonviolent felony, the length of revocation is up to 30 days.
The bill requires the division of adult parole to conduct a parole
plan investigation prior to the parole release hearing and to inform the
parole board (board) of the results of the investigation. If the board finds
an inmate’s parole plan inadequate, the board can table the release
decision and order the department to submit a revised parole plan
developed in conjunction with the inmate within 30 days of the board’s
order.
The bill allows the board to conduct a parole release review
instead of a hearing without the presence of the inmate if the inmate is
assessed low or very low on the risk assessment instrument and
victim notification is not required.
The bill creates the justice reinvestment crime prevention initiative
in the division of local government in the department of local affairs
(division). The division shall develop the initiative to expand small
business lending in the target communities of Aurora and Colorado
Springs. The division will issue a request for participation from one or
more nondepository community development financial institution loan
funds to participate in the small business lending program. The division
shall enter into a contract with the selected funds to define the operating
terms of the loan program. The loans are limited to 5 years and $50,000.
The division shall also develop the initiative to implement a grant
program for programs, projects, or direct services aimed at reducing
crime in the target communities. The division shall issue a request for
participation to select a community foundation or foundations to manage
the grant program. The division shall sign an agreement with the selected
foundation or foundations that defines the role and responsibility of the
foundation in managing the grant program. The grant program may fund:
• Academic improvement programs;
• Community-based services;
• Community engagement programs;
• Increasing safety and usability of common outdoor-spaces
programs;
• Technical assistance related to data collection, data
analysis, and evaluation; and
• Administrative costs of the foundation.
Only a nonprofit organization in good standing and registered with the
internal revenue service and the Colorado secretary of state, a school, a
unit of local government, or a private contractor hired to provide technical
assistance are eligible to receive grants.
The bill requires the division to present a status report to the joint
judiciary committee regarding the initiative.